Catalytic production of 1,2-propanediol from glycerol in bio-ethanol solvent.

Production of 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) from glycerol hydrogenolysis was carried out in bio-ethanol solvent over small amount of Rh-promoted Cu/solid-base catalysts prepared via layered double hydroxide precursors. It was found that glycerol hydrogenolysis proceeded easily on Rh-Cu/solid-base catalysts than separated Rh and Cu/solid-base. The conversion of glycerol and selectivity to 1,2-PDO over Rh(0.02)Cu(0.4)/Mg(5.6)Al(1.98)O(8.57) reached 91.0% and 98.7%, respectively, at 2.0 MPa H(2), 180 °C. And this catalyst was stable in five consecutive hydrogenolysis tests in ethanol.